The Archaeological Park

In the first century B.C. the Romans set their sights on the Lower Rhineland.
They erected a military camp on the Fürstenberg so that they could advance into Germania to the east of the Rhine by crossing the river Lippe.
After the devastating defeat of Varus by the Germanic forces led by Arminius in 9 A.D, the river Rhine became the eastern frontier of the Roman empire.

A port and a settlement developed north of the camp. About A.D. 98 Emperor Traian granted the settlement colony status, and this became Colonia Ulpia Traiana.
Streets in a grid pattern, sewers, town walls, a forum, temples, baths and an amphitheatre were built, and all from stone that had to be hauled more than 100 kilometres down the Rhine.

In the Archaeological Park, some buildings have been partly reconstructed, some rebuilt and furnished to give visitors an idea of what the settlement would have been like. Original remains of Roman buildings can also be seen.

Watch archaeologists working on their excavations, have a look at Roman "living rooms" or take part in some of our numerous activities!

Information for visitors

More information can be found at www.apx.de